Netanyahu met with UAE president Sunday in rare trip to country, both sides confirm
Netanyahu Meets UAE President Amid Iran War and Israeli Election
Earthguardiansonline.com – Netanyahu met with UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed on Sunday during a rare visit to the United Arab Emirates, as regional tensions and political pressure ahead of Israel’s election continue to shape diplomacy.
Israel and the UAE both confirmed the meeting on Monday. Their discussions addressed bilateral relations and broader regional challenges, with Iran a key concern as the two countries deepen security cooperation during the ongoing war.
Security and regional coordination
Netanyahu was accompanied by his wife and senior officials, including the head of Israel’s National Security Council, the Mossad chief, a military secretary and a political adviser. The delegation reflected the importance Israel placed on security coordination and regional relations.
The meeting came one month before Israel’s October 27 election. Netanyahu’s record on security before the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, has become a major issue in the campaign, particularly amid reports that he may have received warnings of a possible major Hamas operation.
Reports said Sheikh Mohammed warned Netanyahu before the attack, while other accounts described warnings from Egypt. The Atlantic reported that Egypt’s intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, traveled to Israel on September 26, 2023, and cautioned that Gaza would “blow up.” The Wall Street Journal later reported that Israel received at least three Egyptian warnings about Gaza, including a telephone call to Netanyahu days before the assault.
Netanyahu’s office has rejected allegations that he received advance warning, describing them as fabricated and politically motivated. His opponents have argued that the reports raise further questions about responsibility for the failure to prevent the October 7 attack.
“Leaves no room for doubt: Netanyahu led, with blindness, arrogance and irresponsibility, the State of Israel to the greatest disaster in its history.”
UAE ties and Iran concerns
The UAE Foreign Ministry did not deny the reported conversation with Netanyahu when asked earlier this month. It said the country does not comment on media reports or speculation about discussions between leaders, while stressing that relevant intelligence has been shared through appropriate channels.
“When necessary, all relevant intelligence has been and continues to be communicated between the relevant entities.”
Neither country’s statement on Sunday’s meeting mentioned the alleged pre-October 7 warning. Instead, Netanyahu met with UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed with public attention focused on current regional security, Iran and the future of relations established under the Abraham Accords.
Israeli officials have said security cooperation with the UAE has reached unprecedented levels during the Iran war. Israel is also reported to have deployed an Iron Dome missile defense system in the UAE during the conflict, underscoring shared concerns about missile and drone threats.
The visit also highlighted the sensitivity of public diplomacy between the two governments. Netanyahu’s office said in May that he had made a secret trip to the UAE in March during the early phase of the Iran war, calling it a “historic breakthrough.” The UAE Foreign Ministry disputed that account at the time, calling it completely unfounded.
FAQ for readers in Israel and the UAE
Why was the meeting significant? The visit was unusual because high-level public meetings between Israeli and Emirati leaders remain politically sensitive. It took place while Iran-related security concerns are central to both countries.
Did the two governments confirm the meeting? Yes. Israeli and Emirati authorities confirmed that Netanyahu met with UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed on Sunday.
Did their statements address the October 7 warning allegations? No. The public announcements did not refer to reports about alleged warnings before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
